Apparatus for feeding and cutting sheet material



Jun 10, 1941.

G, T. BALF'E APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND CUTTING SHEET MATERIAL 9 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 11

June 10, 1941. G. T. BALFE APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND GUTTING SHEET MATERIAL Filed Nov. 11, 1955 9 Shexs-Sheet 2 June10, 1941. a. T. BALFE -APPARATUS-FOR FEEDING AND CUTTING SHEET MATERIAL Filed NOV. 11, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIII/IIIIMWIIIIIIIII A u June 10, 1941.

. APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND CUTTING-SHEET MATERIAL- Filed NOV. 11, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 ('IJIIIIIII llll lllllllll l/ //////,I'// MI I G. T. BALFE' 2,245,122 l G. T. BALFE June 10, 1941.

Filed NOV. 11, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 10,1941. G, BALFE APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND CUTTING sxm'm MATERIAL Filed. Nov. 11 1955 9 S h-ets-Sheet e NWN ww W $5 NIMNI Y izzz Q G. T. BALFE June 10, 1941.

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND CUTTING SHEET MATERIAL Filed Nov. 11, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 G. T. BALFE June 10, 1941.

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING AND CUTTING SHEET MATERIAL Filed Nov. 11, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet a" .IIII V "I El H W4 RAN. RNW QM mm m N 2am I wa ANN wil i w I V NN 88 RAN .1 NE A A1 1% H H bwfi g AF N1 NM NA N r A w EQNI QMNI m A. m IWWNI MWW W M 7 W wh H r N QNN EN 9 Sinus-Sheet; 9"

June 10, 1941. 'GQT. BALFE V APPARATUS Y'OR/ FEEDING AND CUTTING swam MATERIAL Filed Nov. 11, 1955 Patented June 10,

APPARATUS Fort FEEDING m cu'r'rmc snrm r MATERIAL George '1. Balfe, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Detroit Gasket & Mfg. 00., poration of Michigan Detroit, Micln, a cor- Application November ,11, 1935, Serial, No. 49,304

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a process and apparahas for the manufacture of g skets.

Primarily the invention provides for a continuous manufacture of gaskets from strip material whereby the blank strips are fed in at one end of the machine and finished gaskets are delivered at the opposite end of the machine.

The invention is particularly useful in the manufacture of gaskets in accordance with my Patents Nos. 1,776,140, September 16, l930, and 1,927,450, September 19, 1933, but can be used for manufacturing many other types of gaskets as well as for the manufacturing" of a variety of articles.

One particular feature of the invention residesin providing continuous means for (1) forming a metal strip 'so that the same is provided with projections, (2) combining with this metal strip on one or both sides thereof'a layer of suitable gasket material, also fed as a strip, to produce a laminated structure from which the gaskets or other objects may be suitably stamped, and (3) stamping out gaskets from the laminated material and stripping the same therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which will occupy a relatively small space and in which the several operating mechanisms are capable of independent control and adjustment without removal from the machine.

An additional object of the invention resides in providing a machine which will operate upon strip material of varying widths and whereinnot only is time saved by reason of the continuous and uninterrupted manufacture, but the width of the strip material may be relatively narrow with respect to the width of the articles being ,formed I Figure 2 is a top plan view illustrating by way of example, a gasket I Figure 3 is a side elevation of a gasket; I

Figure 4' is a view of a gasket in accordance with my Patent No. 1,776,140 before the gasket 7 material and metal layers are combined;

Figure 5 is a view showing the gasket of said patent with the layers of Figure 4 combined; Figure 6 is a top elevation of the machine; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the machine; Figure 8 is a detail view partly in section showing the first operation of forming the'metal and the feeding of the gasket material onto the metal layer for combination therewith;

Figure 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 8 showing the means for forming the metal with struck-up projections;

Y Figure 10 is a top plan view partly broken away whereby a minimum of material wastage takes place.

The process of the invention includes the continuous steps of forming the metal, combining the same with a gasket material layer or layers,

applying a layer of non-sticking material, e. -g., graphite, to the gasket material, stamping out the gaskets and subsequently givingthe gaskets a treatment with a protecting liquid and baking operation substantially as described in my copending application, Serial No. 648,691, filed December 23, 1932, of which this application is a continuation-in-part.

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic 'ew of my improved machine including also a dipping tank and drying oven in which the finished gaskets are given a final treatment;

andpartly in section of the upper gear of the machine shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a sectional iew on of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a front of the machine shown in Figure 9, the lower gear being shown in dotted lines;

the line l-H Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the manner in which the respective layers are combined and the mechanism for accomplishing the combining operation;

Figure 14 is a sectional view on the line I4-l4 of Figure 13;

' Figure 15- is a longitudinal sectional view show-v ing the apparatus for stamping and stripping the laminated material, this view also illustrating one -means, e. g., a .table for permitting continuous of the strip material to the intermittently operated ratus; V

Figure 16 is a cross section on the line |6--l6 of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is asectional view on theline lI-l'l of Figure 15;

Figure 18 is asectional view on the line l8-'-l8 Figure 21 is a sectional view on the line 2 l- -2l of Figure 20.

Referring to the drawings, I have illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1 the process of the invention. Preferably, the operation proceedsin elevationof the upper gear stamping and stripping appapositive.

a straight'line and continuously whereby the metal strip is formed as shown in Figure 4 in accordance with my. United States Patents Nos. 1,843,438, February 2, 1932;-1,927,791, September 19, 1933; and 2,000,208, May 7, 1935, and combined on one or both sides thereof with a layer of suitable cushion gasket material such as asbestos, as shown in Figure 5; the laminated material is stamped to gasket form, the gaskets stripped and dipped in a suitable protective liquid and then heated or baked, all as set, forth in my United States patent application Serial No. 648,691. If desired, the cushion gasket material in the roll is coated with a non-sticking material layer, such as graphite, or it may be so coated prior to or after the combining operation or after the stamping operation. Again, the roll of cushion gasket material is coated with the graphite as it is fed from the roll to the combining apparatus, all as described in my aforesaidapplication.

Referring to Figures 1, 6 and 7, the cutting instrumentality for forming the metal sheets is generally in accordance with my aforesaid patents and is indicated at A. The combining instrumentality is indicated at B, the stampinginstripping instrumentality D. The saturating tank is indicated at E and the oven at F. The me-- tallic strip material is indicated at M, and the cushion gasket material at G.

Referring to Figure 2, I have, for purposes of illustration, shown one type of engine gasket, which is simply exemplary of a wide variety of sizes, shapes and thicknesses of single layer and laminated products of .varying composition and useful for innumerable purposes which may be prepared by the present process and apparatus. The gasket illustrated at I in Figure 2 is in accordance with my United States Patents Nos.

1,776,140, September 16, 1930, and 1,927,450, September 19, .1933, in that it comprises a metallic insert 2 having struck-up projections 3, which, as shown in Figure 5, are embedded in layers of gasket material 4, by pressure, so that the ends of the projections 3 come to the surface of the gasket and are bent over to lie within the plane of the surface of the gasket. If desired, and as set forth in said patents. the gasket will com- The sheet metal forming operation Referring to Figure 8 particularly, I have indicated at ID a casing or a bracket II in which is revolubly supported the spool or reel l2 for the roll of metallic strip material M.

The housing i-is provided. with a. suitable flanged cover l having araised or thickened portion upon which is supported and secured as by bolts a metal forming apparatus generally similar to that shown and described in my United States Patents Nos. 1,843,438, February 2, 1932; 1,927,791, September 19, 1933; and 2,000,- 208, May 7, 1935.

Referring to Figures 6, 7, 8 and particularly Figure 9, it will be noted that the arbors l6 and whose bases rest on the said raised and thickened portion and are secured thereto. As

, shown in Figure 9, the bearing block's I9 are ,strumental-ity at C, with which is combined the housing-at one endof the machine which, on one side, is provided with superposed one upon the other and the upper bearing blocks carrying the upper arbor are adjust-able in that they may slide within the housings 20 to accommodate various thicknessesof metal. This adjustment is controlled by means of screws or bolts 2! carried by a cover member 22 which is bolted at its ends to the top of each of the slotted housings 20, as shown at 23.

The bolts 2| may be raised or lowered so that their ends engaging the blocks' will limit the movement thereof within the slotted housings 20, The anvil members 25 are also adiustably mounted and, referring to Figure 8, these members are provided with slots within which are engaged projections 26 of transversely extending bars 21. .These bars are adjustably' supported for vertical movement in each of the housings 20 by means of threaded rods 23 having their ends respectively engaged in a bar 21 and an .adjacent internal lateral extension 27' of the housing 20.1 The bars are moved relative to each other in adjusted relationso as to properly position the anvils with respect to the cutting members, by turning the heads 28 or other suitably squared portions formed on .the threaded members 28. A bracket 33 is pneferablydntegrally formed with each of the slotted housings 20 at the ends adjacent the tool I! and ca ry a flanged guide roller 3| beneath which the metal strip material M is passed. Means for supplying a lubricant and cooling fluid are provided, consisting of suitable spray heads 32 adapted to direct a spray of cooling lubricant such as oil upon the cutting instrumentalities, the spray being supplied from a pipe 33 which in turn leadsv to a pump 34 operated by a motor 33, the pump communicating with a self-contained reservoir 36 in the lower end of the housing I I. ,A

supplemental cover 31 is fitted over the top of the housing lll' upon the cover II and has an opening 38 therein, as well as a flat table-like portion 39 over which the metal strip which has been operated upon by the cutting instrumentality is continuously passed. The cover member 31 also has a suitable integral banie member 40 as shown. Associated with the opening 33 is the open end 4| of a blast pipe 42 whereby air is blown upon the formed metal strip immediately it passes from the cutting instrumentality so as to clean the same,- as well as remove any lubricantor cooling fluid which may have adhered to the strip during its passage through I the cutting instrumentality. The lubricant-and cooling fluid is thereby forced back into the housing ill to the reservoir 38 and the baiile 40 acts to prevent the blast from the blast pip 43 causing any ebullition of lubricant present in the reservoir 36. At each side of the cuttin in'strumentality there is disposed a downwardly extending shield member 43 which acts to direct the lubricant spray onto the moving parts of the cutting instrumentality and prevent any loss of the same through being directed outwardly of the machine. In this connection, it is to be noted that the supplemental cover 31'at one end is provided with the integral flange 44 which also The casing III is provided with an opening 46' communicating with an .outlet 41 formed integral, withzthe bracket II and which has connected to chamber ID are removed.

Referring to Figure 9, there is fixed to the lower arbor asmall gear 49 and a large gear 50. The large gear is operated through the medium of a small gear 5| carried by the shaft 52 of a suitable speed reducing transmission 53, which in turn is operated by any suitable prime mover such as an electric motor.

Referring to Figures 10, 11 and 12, there is fixed to the upper arbor a gear 54 which meshes with the gear 49. This upper arbor 16, however, is provided with a bushing 55 keyed to a provided'with a suitable detachable cover 1|, and

f with an upstanding bracket portion 12 integral reduced end portion of the arbor l6 at 58, which bushing has a substantially wedge-shaped projection5'l disposed in an internal slot 58 in the gear, as shown in Figure 11. Mounted in the recess 58 on each side of the wedge member 51 are movable wedges 59 which are adjustably f mounted by screws 80. Surrounding the reduced end of the arbor adjacent the bearing I8 is a collar 8| against which the inner ends of the screws bear and a similar collar 62 is provided at' the opposite end having openings 93 therein by which access to the screws for the purpose of turning them is attained, as shown in Figure 10. By adjusting'the screws 80, the wedges 59 cause the gear to shift relative to thebushing 55 whereby the gear on the upper arbor is adjustable relative to the gear on the lower arbor so that both gears operate simultaneously and present the cutting instrumentalities to the sheet in the proper relation to produce the up-struck tangs, as shown, for example, in Figure 4. A cover plate 84 is bolted to the reduced end of the upper arbor as at 65 for maintaining the aforesaid assembly of the gear 54;

Referring to Figure 8, the adjusting screws 28 for adjusting the bars 21 and the anvils carried thereby are fixed in their adjusted position by smeans of set screws 66 threaded into thebars and having their ends engaging the threaded portions of the-respective screws within the bars.

The prime mover, which is preferably an electric motor and associated with the speed reducer transmission, is independently controlledby any suitable type of electric switch so that if, desired, the forming instrumentality A can be shut off independently of the other operating mechanisms.

It will be observed that by reason of themotor driven cutting instrumentality, the metal strip M is, withdrawn from the reel l2, passes under the. flanged roller 3 l and is acted upon by the cutting instrumentality and then subjected to the blower. By reason of the rotation of the cutting members, the formed metal strip is moved over the table 39 and propelled in feeding relation to the combining apparatus. In other words the cutting instrumentality A acts to withdraw the strip metal from the reel, as well as to propel it from the cutting instrumentality to the combining means.

Combining apparatus sides of the metal strip M;

with one side wall of the casing. Mounted on the bracket 12 are spaced integral bosses 13 which support shafts 14 upon which are revolubly mounted reels'15 carrying rolls of cushion gasket material. G. One or more reels may be so posi-- it a stack 38 whereby air and gases within the r tioned to supply a cushion layerfor one or both 1 Fixed to the. side of the housing Ill adjacent the bracket 12 are brackets 16 upon which are secured a table II forthe fan blast housing 18. This housing" is secured to the table, by bracket connections 19 asshown in Figure 8. Mounted within the bedsing 18 is a suitable blast mechanism not shown but preferably consisting of a fan operated by a prime mover such as a motor and an air blast is continuously created which is directed through the outlet. in the housing to the conduit 42.

The gasket strip material in the roll may have a coating of suitable non-sticking material such as graphite thereon, or such coating may be supplied-as the strip material G leaves the reels by any suitable spraydepositing'means, as shown, and as illustrated and described in my said copending application. The strip cushion material G from one or botli reels, as well as the formed ing portion which is disposed in the opening 82. The flanges 81 of the throat are bolted to therlaterally disposed flange 83 in any suitable manner to fix the throat in position and the length of the throat will be varied as required to present the strips in closely associated relation to the combining apparatus B. The'opening' 88 of the throat'will of course be of a dimension to bring two or more strips suitably close together and guide them in registered relation to the combining instrumentality-B.

The combining instrumentality B is shown in Figures 13 and 14 and is supported upon a suit- I able housing or casing 9ll,as'shown in Figure '7. The housing 99 is provided with a cover plate 9| to which is secured a pair of spaced sub-- stantially U -shaped members 92. Disposed within the slotsin said members, for vertical sliding movement, are bearing blocks 93 having therein journals 94 within which rotate the shafts 95 carrying-the combining rollers 95.- Acover 91 is secured at its ends, as by bolts 98, to the tops of the U-shaped members.

ed, in that theupper roller may move vertically; to accommodate various thicknesses of material: and produce various pressure effects whether the material be either a single layer or laminated; This adjusting means consists of 'screwsor bolts 98' carrying spiral gears 99 which are engaged by spiral pinions Illlon the shaft II, the latter rotated by means of ,the hand wheel I82. This construction provides a self-locking means in any adjusted position of the upper combining roll thereby producing a uniform pressure effect. It is to be noted that the gears 99 and the bearings for the screws 98' are mounted in suitable housings lllwhich are integrally connected by the bar .1. The shaft l 0l and its pinions are also enclosed in suitable housings I05 which are bolted or otherwise secured to the housings I93, asv shown at I09. The screws move in suitable mechanism II'I operated -mover such as an electric motor. This prime able, the upper roller." may move vertically,

relative to the lower roller 96 to accommodate various'thicknesses of the material and produce the required combining pressure in accordance with the adjusted position of the ends of the screws with respect to the upper bearing blocks 93.

Referring to Figure 13, there is disposed between the bearing blocks 92 a plurality of springs I 09 which are housed in suitable recesses III! in ,the bearing blocks. These springs'are preferably of the coil type and normally act to separate the bearing blocks and the rollers 96 carried thereby. To adjust the rollers for compressing and/or combining any thickness of material or laminations, the hand wheel I02 is operated 'to raise or lower the screws 98' so as to. accurately define and limit the distance between the respective rollers 98 and control the compression effect, it being noted that the springs will always cause the upper bearing blocks to engage the ends of the screws 98".

Thus, a single layer of material being acted upon of any desired thickness may be compressed by the rollers 96, or a layer of strip material M and one layer of cushion material G, or a layer strumentality and the stamping instrumental'iity of strip material M and cushion material layers G on each side thereof may be operated upon and combined as shown in Figure 5. The ends of shafts '8 are reduced as shown at III and carry gears II2 which 7 are disposed in inferengaging relation..

A large gear II! is fixed to the extended reduced'end III ofthe lower roller shaft 95, as shown at I I4. tated by means of a gear I II! of a suitable speed This gear III is roreducer transmission by any suitable prime I strip material layer and one or more layers of cushion gasket m aterial as shown in Figure 4. It is to be noted that the feeding of the cushion gasketmateria-l strip from one or more of the reels I5 is accomplished by the rolls .8 acting thereon and these rolls 9i thereafter act to pro- .pel the laminated strip, as shown in Figure 15,

to the gasket stamping and stripping instrumentality. The combined or compressed strip of .eithersingle layer or laminated structure is fed from the combining rolls through the outlet throat I20 securedto and extending froma table I integral with a cover plate I22 bolted to a suitable housing I23 as shown in Figures 13,

and 17. The throat I has its entrant end disposed in close proximity to the combining rolls 26, as shown in Figure 13, so as to receive the compressed and/or combined strip and move'it across the relatively narrow raised table I2I to the stamping instrumentality. The throat I20 is secured to the table by screws I24.

Stamping and stripping apparatus The strip material discharged by the outlet throat is propelled over the table I2I which, at its opposite end has secured thereto a guiding throat I25 as by screws I26. This table I 2| is of a length whereby the intermittentaction of IS mounted on a shaft reciprocating head is a -is a stripper plate the stamping and stripping apparatus will not interfere with the continuous feeding and forming of the metal strip and the continuous feeding and compressing and/or combining of the layers of cushion material therewith. That.

to say, the distance between the combining upper end a fixed head I28 upon which is mounted a bed plate I 20 and die plate I30, the latter being of resilient flexible sheet metal and the bed plate I29 being of metal, or, if desired, some resilient material, the construction being substantially similar to that described in my copending'applications, 'Serial Nos. 690,740, filed September 23, 1933, and 15,878, filed'April 11, 1935. Mounted to reciprocate with respect to the head I28 and plate I28 and I30 is a head Ill carried by a plurality of rods I I2 bolted thereto as at I, and slidably extending through openings in the fixed head I28. The rods I22 are bolted in a suitable cross-head I24, which "cross-head is united by a ball and socket connection I and connecting rod I36 with a crank shaft I21. The reciprocatinghead I3I carries a stamping instrumentality or knife I28 mounted on a resilient and flexible metal die plate I" andbed plate I" and is substantially similar to that shown and described in my above said copending applications. The knife I has a contour or contours'in accordance with the particular gasket or other products to be stamped from the sheet material. Carried by the'head I2! at the end thereof adjacent the throat I25 is a relatively narrow strip or plate of metal or rubber I4I' which cooperates with a, slidably mounted or resilient block I42 carried in a restamped willbe clamped between the respective members I and I42 during the cutting operation. The movable head I 3| tension I42 to which is detachablysecured as by bolts, a plate I44 carrying stripper members or knock-out plugs I45... The purpose of these knock-out members is to engage cut-out portions of'the strip and remove such cut-out portions including the gaskets from the stamped laminated sheet.

A bracket I46 is detachably bolted to the housing- I21 and has a flange I 4! fitting over the adjacent edge Got the fixed head I28. This bracketds formed with a plurality of chutes I 49, defined by walls I50. Carried by the bracket- I46 and detachably secured thereon as by bolts I5! having openings I52 therein registering with the knock-out members I and of a .size to permit the material so knocked-out by the members to pass therethrough into the chutes I49.

Securedat one end of the plate I44 on the.

transversely extending knife I53 for shearing the waste strip material. Extending longitudinally and secured along each edge of the stripper plate I5I are guide members I54 between which and the adjacent surface of the plateare slidably received the opposite edges of the strip material. These guide members I54 have flared entrant portions has an integral ex- .pieces will be knocked out and discharged to the first chute I49, the completed gaskets knocked out recovered through the second chute I49 while the sheared waste material is discharged through the third chute I49, reading from left to right.

Referring to Figures 6, 14, 15 and 18, there is fixed to the reduced end III of the lower shaft 95 of the combining mechanism B a sprocket wheel I60. A suitable chain I6I or otherdriving means engages the sprocket wheel'I60 and a second sprocket wheel I62 carried b'ya shaft I63 of a suitable speed reducer transmissionapparatus I 64, whereby rotation of the sprocket wheel I60 is transmitted to the apparatus I64. The speed reducer transmission apparatus I64 has a shaft I 65 to which is fixed for rotation a disc I66 having secured thereto as by screws a cam I61. Carried by the casing I23 at one side thereof, as shown in Figures 6 and 18, and suitably secured thereto, are guide members I68 in which is slidably mounted a bar I 69 having secured at one end thereof a cam I cooperating with the cam I61 on the rotating disc I66. At the opposite end, the adjacent guide member I68 slidably receives a second bar I1I having a slot I12 therein. Threadedly connected to the bar I1I at one end thereof is a rod I13 carryinga nut I14, between which and the end of the bar I1! is fixed an extension plate I for a purpose which will later be described. The rod I13 has an enlarged integral head I18 disposed in and confined by a coupling member I11, and said head I16 is rounded or cylindrical so that the rod may rotate within the coupling member for adjusting the threaded connection of the rod I13 with bar I1I. Also, secured to the coupling member I11 is a stem I18, as by a pin I19, and said stem I18 projects withina hollow guide I88 secured'to the side of the casing I21. This guide has a bushing I8I receiving the reduced end of the stem I18, and the latter is enlarged, as at I82, and engages in a bushing I83 in said guide.

Between the enlarged portion I82 of the stem I18 and the reduced wall I84 of the opening in the guide member I80 is positioned a coil spring I85'acting to project the stem I18 outwardly of the guide, toward the right. At its exposed end, the enlarged portion I82 of the stem carries a roller I86 freely rotatable on said stem.

The bar I69 has slidably mounted therein at one end a pin I81 provided with grooves I88 in which is selectively engaged a spring, pin latch I89, mounted in the bar I69, as shown in Figure 18. Referring to Figure 17, the head I90 of the pin I81 is slidably held in a groove I9I defined by the shoulders I92, integrally extended from one end of a barrel-shaped member I93 which is mounted for sliding movement in a boss I94 on the adjacent wall of the housing I23 and is connected to a rod :I95 extending across the housing and through the opposite wall thereof, and carrying a handle I96. By pulling out on the handle I96 against the action of the spring; I91, the shoulders I92 defining the groove I9I engage and retract the pin I81, whereby it is" disengaged fromi the slot I12. Similarly, by pushing in on the handled, the pin .is engaged in said slot.

As shown in Figurev 18, the pin I81 extends into the slot I12, and the cam members I61 and I10 are in engagement, whereby the bar I69 is moved to the left, carrying with it the bar "I and associated 'parts by' reason of the engagement of the end of the pin with the wall of the slot I12. When the cam members I61 and I10 are out of engagement, the spring I85 will retract the stem I18, the rod I13, the bar "I, and by reason of the pin I81 having itshead I90 freely longitudinally slidable in the groove I9I I defined by the shoulders I92 and its opposite end engaging the wall of the slot I12 in bar I1I,.:the bar'I69 will also be retracted. If it is desired to have the bar I1I, rod I13, stem I18, and roller I86 projected constantly by said spring I85, the pin I81 will be pulled'out of engagement in the slot. I12 by the handle I95 and will be held so by the spring latch I89 engaging in the-other groove I88. Also, when the handle I96 is re tracted, a lug I98 is disengaged from 'a. slot I91 in the boss I98 and turningthe handle I96 in either direction permanently locks the pin out of engagement with the slot I12, the lug then .resting on the face of the boss I98.

Referring to Figures 1'1 and 18, a rod I98 is pivotally mounted on the casing or housing I28 and at one end'carries a finger 200, while at the opposite end is provided with a handle 20 I. When said hand1e.2 0I is shifted to the left, as shown in Figs. 7 and 18,the finger 200- is out of thepath of movement of the extension plate I15 and the parts are operated as described; but if the handle is rotated to the right, the said finger 200 is moved to the left and occupies a position to be engaged bysaid extension plate I15, which it will hold constantly in the retracted position shown .in Figure 18 for a purpose to be later set forth.

Referring to Figures 16 and 18, the crank shaft I31 at one end carries a ,fiange 2I0, to

which is connected a plate 2 and the adjacent extended portion 2I2 of the crank shaft I31 is squared and receives a sliding clutch member 2 I3 having a similar squared opening 2I4 therein, whereby the clutch plate will rotate with the crank shaft but is slid able thereon. A pluralityof coil springs'2l5 have their ends respectively engaged in recesses. 2I6 and 2I1,in the clutch member 2I3 and the fixed plate 2, whereby the clutch member is constantly urged in a direction away from the said plate. The extension 2I8 of the crank shaft has a bushing 2I9 upon which is mounted for rotation a drive and fiy-wheel 228 driven through the medium of a belt 22I from a pulley 222 on a shaft 223 of a suitable electric motor 224." This motor is independently operable by a switch mechanism not shown. Secured to the driving wheel 220 by bolts 225 is a fixed clutch member 226 adapted to engage the clutch member 2I3 for operating the crank shaft and the stamping and stripping mechanism heretofore described. Carried by the described in cooperation with the roller I86 and. its associated mechanism. a

When the,rol1er I86 is retracted as shown in Figure 18 as when the cams I 61 and I10 are in engagement or when the finger 200' is in a position to engage the extension plate I15 and mainmembers will be in engagement by reason of the springs 2 I5. Under such conditions, the reciprocating head I3I would be constantly reciprocated. However, it is desirable that when the head I3I reaches the limit of its upward movement at the .end of each stamping operation, that it pauses for a period long enough to permit the-strip ma- I terial which has been stamped'to' slide to the stripper apparatus and the unstamped material upon the table I2I to slide into a position to be stamped. To hold the head I? therefore, the roller I86 engages the cam 221 mounted on the rotating clutch member 2I8 ata point in the rotation of clutch member 2I3 when the head I3I is at the limit of its upward movement, and this engagement of the roller and cam disengages the .clutch members by retracting the clutch member I 2 I8 to stop rotation of the crank shaft. That is, the roller I86 and cam 221 cooperate to move thevclutch 2I3 away from the fixed clutch 228 whereby the crank shaft I31 ceases to rotate and the head I3I is held in its upward position for a limited period based on the speed of rotation of thecombining rolls 66 which feed and propel the strip material to'the stamping and stripping ap- 2,245,122 tain the roller constantly retracted, the clutch J I any overthrow of the reciprocating head I3I of the machine, I provide at one end of the crank shaft a friction brake comprising a brake wheel 238 secured to the reduced end 23I of the shaft. A suitable friction shoe 232 is attached to a projection 233 on the fixed'head I28 as by bolts 234.

and carries a friction material or band 236 which engages the surface of the brake wheel 238. In

this manner the crank shaft is subjected to .a v

I continuous braking action.

paratus. The time period at which the cams I61 and I18 engage each other and pullthe roller I86 01! of'the cam 221 to permit reengagement of the clutch members and rotation of the crank shaft with operation 01' the stamping and stripping mechanism is timed from the combining appa-' ratus B by reason of the connection of the sprocket wheel I66 with the rotating disc" I66 carrying cam I61, i. .e., the combined drive be-' tween the rolls 66 and the clutch control mechanism illustrated in Figures 18 .and 19. Thus, since material is being constantly fed or propelled by the rollers 96 of the combining mechanism,

when the cams I86 and 221 are engaged so as to release the clutch members, a precise but brief period elapses thereafter between this engagement 'and the engagement of the cams I61 and I18 to withdraw the roller and again release the roller I86 onto the path of movement of cm 221;.

such period is of a duration that a proper length of material may be fed to the stamping and stripping apparatus before the reciprocating head I3I resumes its reciprocation. It will be understood that the roller I86 engages the cam 221 to release the clutch members at a single point in the rotation of the clutch member 2I3 and that the holding period or pause for the head I3I at the limit of its upward movement is controlled by the elapsed period thereafter before the engagement of the cams I61, I18 when the roller I86 is retracted and the clutch memb rs again engage to rotate the crank shaft and reciprocate the stamping and stripping devices.

As stated, the clutch members may be conthe outer {face ,of the rotating disc I66 by-aers are rotated intermittently for a definite timed Referring to Figure 20, I have illustrated-a supplemental positive synchronous means for feeding the strip material to the stamping and stripping instrumentalities. This means comprises a gear segment '248 adjustably secured to slotted bolt connection 2. Mounted in bracket bearings 242 fixed to the casing I23 is'an angularly disposed shaft 243 having at one end a gear 244 meshing with the segment gear 248 and at its opposite end a gear 244', meshing with a gear 245 on the lower of a pair of feed roller carryingshafts 246 carrying feeding rollers 241. The shafts 246 have respectively fixed thereto meshing gears 241 whereby the shafts and rollperiod. This rotation of the rollers 241 is obtained'by the segmental gear 248 on the rotating disc I66, engaging .th gear 244 whereby the shaft 243 is'turned and the engagement of the .gears244 and 245 rotates the lower roller shaft 246 and the roller carried thereby with simultaneous rotation of the upper shaft 246 and its roller through the engagement of the gears 241'.

The roller shafts 246 and rolls 241 are disposed one above and one below the surface of the table I2I as shown in Figure 120, the table being cut away at 248 whereby the rolls 241 are 00-,

operable to engage opposite surfaces of the strip material propelled over the table I2I by the combining instrumentality. The shafts 246 rotate in suitable bearings 248 which externally have the form of blocks 268 adjustably retained in superposed relation in U-shaped housings 26I tinuously maintained in engagement as where the stamping and stripping instrumentalities .are

intermittently or manually fed, by shifting the lever I68, or said clutch members may be maintained constantly un'clutched by retracting the pin I81 from the slot I12.

As will be understood, the operation of the combining apparatus and stamping-stripping apparatus is synchronized in that reciprocation of the latter is directly controlled by the clutch which in turn is controlled by: cam disc I66I61 driven from the combining apparatus. This assures accurate timing of the reciprocating with the feed of the combining rolls. Thus, the

secured to thecover I22 and having their bases resting upon integral extensions 262 thereof. A

suitable cover 256 is bolted or otherwise secured to the tops of the housings 25L In this manner, a positiveintermittent feed for the strip material is provided supplementing the action in this respect of the combining mechanism. The construction in Figures 20' and 21 provides an intermittent feed to an intermittently operatedstamping-stripping means.

The feed obtained through the medium of the rolls 241 is synchronized with the combining mechanism on vthe one hand and with thereciprocating means for the movable head I6I on the other, whereby rotation of the feeding rolls 241 to feed the strip takes place immediately the head I3I reaches the limit of its-upward movement' and continues throughout its pause in that position, the feeding being discontinued synchronized to adjust-the speed of the several instrumentallties with respect to each: other wherebyasmooth continuous and uninterrupted while the head I3I is held in its upward position,

before the roller I86 isdisengaged from the clutch cam 221. This synchronous and positive feeding of th strip material as will be observed is supplementary to that of the combining rolls.

In each case, of course, these means provide for a su'fficient flein'ng of the material or collecting of'the material as will allow the continuous operationof theforming meansA, the combining means B and the stamping and stripping instruinentalities C, D, whereby products are formed without interruption.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, I have indicated at 260 a pair of spray means, for depositing a layer of non-sticking material suchas graphite upon @the exposed surface of the cushrial M is drawn :by the cutting instrumentalityion gasket material G as it leaves the reels I5 and is passed to the combining apparatus; This spray means is m'ounted upon the bracket 12 or the bracket 85 as desired. In lieu of having a spray means, suitable rollers carrying the non-" sticking material or other spreading means may be utilized to spread and apply the non-sticking material film to the exposed surface of the gasket material layers. .Instead of applying the nonsticking layer to the material as it leaves the reels 15, this may be accomplished by similar means interposed between the combining appa-a ratus and the throat I20, the same being attached to the yokes or U-shaped members92. Again this non-sticking material applying means may be applied while the material is passed over the table I2I or while it is moving from the rolls 24?. In some cases, the non-sticking layer may be applied after the material leaves the throat I25 and before, it enters the stamping and stripping apparatus. Again the procedure of applying a non-sticking layer may take place after the gaskets have been stamped and recovered from the chute I49 and prior to introduction to the bath E and oven F. It will be understood of course that the rolled material itself manufacturing process is possible. If desired. however, a single prime mover maybe utilized for operatin'g all of the mechanisms, it' being desirable, however, to synchronize the feed of strip material from the combining apparatus B and the intermittent operation of the stamping and strip ping 'instrumentalities C-D.

In the operation of the invention, strip mate- A through the same and the metallic strip is formed with projections or protuberances andQ projections on one or both sides thereof asin my aforesaid patents, and as shownin Figures 4 and 5 hereof.- The cutting instrumentality A not only draws the material from the reel I2 but 4 propels the' same forward in the machine and after the cutting and forming operation, the sheet is cleaned and dried by reason of the blast from the conduit 42. Simultaneously with the entrance of the formed metal strip material into the throat 8|, one or more layers of cushion gasket material G is likewise drawn into the throat in combining relation with said metal strip, the cushion material beingdrawn from the reels I5 by the combining rolls which of course also act to draw the associated strips in combining relation. In the combining rolls, the strip material is compressed and/or combined as in Figures 4 and 5 and thereafter passes over the elongated table I2I being propelled toward the stamping and stripping instrumentality by the combining 7 rolls. The purpose of the table I2I and/or rolls 2" is totake care of theslack occurring while the strip material is being stamped and stripped thereby permitting continuous forming of the metal and compression and/or combining of the layers and feeding of the material to the stamp- Q ing and stripping machine without stoppage of the operation. The intermittent operation of the will have in some cases applied to' it a layer of applying the non sticking layer will not be operated. Where the non-sticking layer, however,

stamping and stripping machine is synchronized with the speed of feed of the combining rolls 96 and the material is fed into stamping position while the reciprocating die block I3I is held in the limit of its upward movement. As each stamping operation takes place, the material is moved to the right and successive blank portions ,of the strip are fed into stamping position. At

the same time,. the stamped material is fed into stripping position following each successive stamping, the whole procedure being continuous and without interference with the continuous feeding of strip material from the combining ap- I paratus. -In the stripping apparatus as stated,

- the knock-out pins I push out from the strip is applied after thestripmaterial leaves the reels I5, any of the above recited procedures may be followed, and attention is directed to applicants copending application, Serial No. 648,691

of which this application is a continuation in part, and in which the procedure therein outlined including that of applying the non-sticking layer is followed where desired in the present case.

I have stated that the prime movers. for the cutting instrumentality, the combining instrumentality and the stamping and stripping instrumentality, namely, the electric motors, are independently operable so that the same may be shut off independently whenever desired. In

this connection, however, the independence of the several prime movers is of considerable importance in that they may be controlled and severed portions, which it is desired to recover,

and these are recovered from the first chute I49; the knock-out block I45 simultaneously knocks out the gaskets which are recovered through the secondchute I49 while the knife I53 shears the waste strip and the same is collected from the end chute I69.

If the cushion material G already carries a coating of non-sticking material, means 260 for applying the same are not operated but where the :cushion gasket material is not so coated, then these means are operated as stated in adv'ance' ofthe combining operation or subsequent thereto as above described. 4

The gaskets from the chute I49 are immediately,conveyed to the conveyor 25I or stored and subsequently placed on the conveyor whereby they are carried through the bath E containing a suitable liquid coating material for producing on the surface of the gasket including the edges thereof, an abrasion resistant relatively hard film or layer of desired thickness and preferably relatively thin and which film is resistant to the various chemical and physical factors surrounding gasket use and will bind the fibres together as well as protect the non-sticking surface such as graphite. The tank E will contain one oma mixture of various adhesive compositions such as silicate of soda or water glass, shellac, liquor or varnish mixtures which are air drying or which can be dried by means of an elevated temperature, e. g., the oven F. The film formed by immersion in the tank -E is likewise non-sticky and preserves the gasket during storage, shipment and use. The'conveyor 2H while'it is shownv diagrammatically as being substantially flush with the stripper plate Iii can be so positioned, but is preferably disposed below the same and the central chute I49 communicates with the conveyor to deposit the gaskets thereon as they are delivered from the stripping instrumentality. In this manner, the dipping and coating of the gasket and the heat treating thereof where necessary are continuous with the preceding operations of gasket manufacture; The-motor for operating the conveyor I, not shown, is independently operable, although as heretofore stated, a single prime mover may be used to actuate all of the apparatus. Preferably, however, the conveyor is synchronized in its movement with the operation of the stripping instrumentality, .whereby the hook members 262 of the conveyor will each pick up a gasket as delivered from the chute and carry the gaskets as successively formed through the tank E and oven F.

The apparatus is of such character, that it can be positioned in a straight line, thereby greatly facilitating the procedure and simplifying the 'structure as well as the cost of manufacture and expense of operation. All of the housings or casings are formed-as a single casting with which the various operating instrumentalities supported on the casting are detachably connected so, that they can be removed or replaced as required, either due to wear or the type of material, structure. of gasket or contour and form of product being made. Of course the several housings and castings may be separable and arranged in a. straight line or individual bases may be employed.

I have referred herein to the use of a single prime mover for each of the several apparatus and with such a construction suitable adjustable or regulable connections to each apparatus are desirable in order that they may be synchronously and/or selectively actuated and assure continuous and uninterrupted operation of the machine, i; e., so that the strip material will be. continuously acted on and the final products con- I tinuously formed.

Also, while I have shown the intermittent positive feeding rolls disposed in advance of the stamping or cutting machine, e, g., at the table l2l, they may be positioned following the stripping apparatus and thereby intermittently draw the strip material into stamping and stripping positions and the waste from the machine. In

such case, of course, rolls 2" will be mounted on a casing or bracket of suitable support and operated as described above, and the knife I53 will then also be positioned to engage the stripped material and shear the same after it comes from the rolls 241. Any suitable reciprocating support, preferably but not necessarily connected to the head HI and extension thereof I so as to be operable therewith may be employed. On the other hand, a suitably intermittently actuated reel operated from any source or means, e. g.,

from the shaft 2 and connected to either a of the cutting instrumentality when the cutting bolted or otherwise united together if desired.

ployed.

separate gear thereon or either of the gears 2, 2", 245 or 241' may be employed to wind up the stripped material drawn through the rolls 2" in which event knife I53 will not be em-.

I'claim:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising feeding rolls, means for operating the same continuously to feed strip material to a cutting instrumentality, a reciprocating cutting'instrumentality, means including a prime mover and a clutch for operating the cutting instrumentality to cut strip material fed thereto, and means actuated by the feeding means to disconnect the clutch and provide a dwell in the reciprocation instmmentality is free of the strip.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 which includes a supplemental feeding instrumentality, and means actuated by the first-menthe supplemental feeding means.

- GEORGE T. BALFE.

tioned feeding means to intermittently operate 

